1985 NCAA Division I A football season

Updated on Dec 07, 2024

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Preseason AP #1 Oklahoma Sooners Heisman Trophy Bo Jackson, Auburn RB Start date 1985		Bowl games 18 Winner Oklahoma Sooners Number of teams 110
Champion Ohio State Buckeyes football, Minnesota Golden Gophers football People also search for 1983 NCAA Division I-A football season

The 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season saw the Oklahoma Sooners, led by head coach Barry Switzer, win the national championship.

Oklahoma finished the season 11-1, with their only loss to Miami at home, in a game in which future NFL star Troy Aikman was lost for the season. The Sooners regrouped and went undefeated the rest of the way, finishing the season with a win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl.

Michigan would finish #2, the highest finish of a Bo Schembechler led team. The team shined on defense, led by All-Americans Mike Hammerstein and Mark Messner.

Tennessee finished the season with a victory over #2 Miami in the Sugar Bowl. This team won the school's first SEC championship in 16 years and was nicknamed the "Sugar Vols". The SEC title was the first of three for coach Johnny Majors.

Air Force Falcons, under Fisher DeBerry had what is considered their best season ever, defeating Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl and finishing #5.

This year's edition of the Iron Bowl is widely considered to be one of the greatest ever. Despite Auburn having Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson on its side, Alabama won this game with a last second field goal.

This would be the last year for the Missouri Valley Conference in Division 1-A football. 5 of the 7 teams in the conference (Drake, Illinois State, Indiana State, Southern Illinois, and West Texas State) would drop from Division 1-A football the following season with the other 2 members (Tulsa and Wichita State) becoming independents the following season.

Rule changes

Kickoffs that sail through the end zone untouched will be placed at the 20-yard line, rescinding a rule adopted in 1984 that required the ball be placed at the 30-yard line.

Offensive lineman will be allowed to use extended arms and open hands on all blocks, not just retreat blocks.

The use of "offset uprights" (two goalposts) is prohibited. All goalposts must now be of the "tuning fork" or "slingshot" style, with the crossbar rising from a single post.